Chapter 1.5
OOC Notes:
Covers between game happenings that went on via email
Between Adventures:
The more I thought about the idea of open warfare among the dragons, the more it disturbed me and the more I worried for Celene. I felt I needed to get word about this back to the Queen, and also word about the lack of contact from Aran’gel. Perhaps she would be motivated to contact him through the mark.
The helm still had its uses for the day, and I asked the group if there was any objection to me taking a quick trip home, and there were none. Since we were now cut off from our primary source of information and support, it would be important that we maintain close ties to our other resources, and I’m sure that’s something they considered.
I put on the helm and went to the palace.
Or tried to at least. It didn’t work. There was some kind of soft whump, and I didn’t go anywhere. It seemed that I was being blocked from the destination. This didn’t strike me as very unusual given that a crisis was afoot, and I instead teleported to my home and landed without incident.
The house was in turmoil. Servants were running to and fro, and it seemed a large group of riders had just passed through the estate. I learned from one of the servants that Mother was present, but that Father had, at royal request, resumed his commission and military rank, and gone with a group of light rangers to the south for some battle. He had left some six hours ago. There was no military personnel left on the grounds but there was a Champion with my mother who had delivered the message. The servant only knew the woman by the mark on her neck – three wavy lines as the wind.
I quickly found Mother in the grand hall, talking to an older female woman. Mother was surprised but happy to see me, and introduced the woman as Kesla. She wore light leathers dyed green and looked very athletic. She was a Swiftrunner of Ehlonna – scouts and messengers.
“The trees are dying,” she announced. “All of them. Every living one in Celene is DYING. And the enemies to the south have renewed their attack, with new horrors. I was sent to rally your father in our time of need.”
I told her I had dire news of my own and would need to speak to the Queen immediately. She said that the palace would be open to a Champion and after a brief hug for my mother, departed. Fortunately I could make good time to the palace thanks to flight (something I grow increasingly fond of each day). Kesla left with me, and moved with amazing speed as her kind is wont to do. I eventually outpaced her only because I could move over obstacles but she moved with a grace that left my method feeling somewhat crude.
On the way I realized that it would require power on a grand scale to blight the trees of the entire country, let alone overcome the resistance of the druidic population present. This was grave indeed.
Just outside the capital limits, I was challenged by a group of the royal cavalry on hippogriffs. Once closer however they recognized me and apologized and let me pass. Two of them escorted me to a landing area at the palace.
There I was greeted by a bookish young elf named Fyndor who identified himself as Onselven's apprentice. He introduced himself clumsily and seemed rather intimidated and overwhelmed both by my station and my general appearance. He informed me that Onselven was in the chamber of War with the Queen, and that he could take me to them at once. He then abruptly turned and tripped, dropping several scrolls. He apologized and tried to maintain some amount of dignity, and then lead me down from the garden. The stairwells were full of activity, with archers moving to defensive positions about the palace, and many higher ranking officers.
The war chamber was an obviously seldom used grand hall on the ground floor. I couldn’t help but note that the items used for the fey mysteries, such as the candles and gongs, lie in disarray, apparently forgotten. The war chamber was a large room with many tables, and a huge tapestry some twenty feet tall hanging on one wall. The finely worked drapery bears a map of Celene, and as you watch, the image changes ever so slightly. Generals and other high-ranking soldiers discuss strategy, though some turn their attentions in your direction as you enter. Fyndor lead me to the largest table, covered in maps and missives, where Onselven and the Queen had their backs to me. The meek apprentice approached Onselven, who said "What is it, boy? Speak up! Ehlmenestra take me, speak! These old ears have scarce failed, yet." without turning. Fyndor stammered out something unintelligible as a new face stepped from around the table. A young elf, though older than I, he stepped out and offered his hand, as both the Queen and Onselven turned to see who he addressed. He said "You must undoubtedly be Kayleigh. I am Tirem the Fletcher." On his outstretched hand I could clearly see the archer's nock.
In all my travelling and moving about, I’ve had little chance to interact with my brothers and sisters. Seeing him here was oddly comforting and made me feel a bit more connected.
I accepted his hand and gave a slight bow, then turned and moved before the Queen and bowed before her. She waited patiently and approvingly then quickly gestured for me to rise.
She said “We had not expected to see you so quickly in response to our distress, young Kayleigh, thought it pleases us just the same. First news of both my sons, and now my newest champion. At least some good things come of this trying time.”
News of her sons? I tried, but likely failed, to suppress my interest at that.
I managed to focus and get to the point. “I regret to say Your Majesty that it was not this new distress that brought me here, but rather ill tidings of another sort. News so disturbing I felt the need to bring word of it quickly. I was unaware of the plight here until I arrived.”
“I had two matters for Your consideration and I'll be brief: I believe Your Majesty already knows of the Scaled Council. I come to report that the council is shattered, and there is open warfare among dragonkind. Infernus has moved directly and openly against The Gilden and I suspect that dragons may be fighting all over the Flaness. While I cannot guess what this means for Celene, I knew it could not bode well and came as soon as I could to inform you of this.”
The queen was obviously troubled by the news, and it is obvious that neither she nor Onselven were aware of this development. She said “I have never trusted them prior to this, and now I see I had good reason. But why shatter the council? Why now? The chromatics must have a reason...or they found something that they think would give them the upper hand. When I have time, I shall turn my attentions to this new dilemma. Thankfully, we only depend on ourselves here, and none but elves themselves can be depended upon.”
I replied “The actions of the Chromatics does seem sudden and unexpected from what little I know.” I was somewhat surprised she did not inquire as to how I came to this information but was not about to question it.
I went on “The second matter is that Aran'gel has been out of contact for some time, and I have some reason to fear for his safety. However if you have heard news of him, then that concern may be moot.”
At this the Fletcher piped up. “Ah, yes, I encountered Aran'gel not four days past. I was heading south and he was heading west. In fact, I was to get a message to you later today, time permitting. He was most emphatic, and spoke very highly of you. I see what he meant about your eyes. Quite lovely, indeed, if I were so inclined.”
At this, the queen fixed him with a riveting stare, while Onselven spontaneously broke into a coughing fit. Her burning gaze took you in for a moment and I could do little but blush. Then her stare returned to the Fletcher, who either hadn't noticed, or wasn't particularly concerned.
“Regardless, he was leading a war party westwards, hunting some enemy archer and some gnolls, I think it was. He seemed to think that they were heading for the mountains, searching for something. He wanted me to let you know that when he was finished, that either way he would 'regain his hand' or something, whatever that was supposed to mean. Oh, now I remember, it was 'Regain his hand, regain her heart.' I suppose he meant you. He can be some thick-necked sometimes. It's a good thing he's so good-looking.”
The silence was suddenly broken as the near-shaking Queen snapped a wand she was using clean in half, filling the hall with a shocking crack.
So, after facing orcs, goblins, undead, vampires, and dragons, now I’m going to be executed by my own Soverign. Oh well. I suppose it was interesting while it lasted.
For a moment, she looked as if she's ready to begin yelling, but the moment passed, and she seemed to relax...if going from hyper-tensive to tense can be considered relaxing.
“YES. WELL. THANK YOU, FLETCHER. DID MY SON HAVE ANY. WORDS. FOR ME?”, the queen managed to say.
He thought only a moment and said “Hmm? Oh, yes, he did, actually. He wanted you to know that he will serve his country faithfully and without reservation in times of need. And that he would always love his country, no matter how he might act. He told me that was the important part....'make sure she knows', he said. He wanted to make sure that no matter what might happen, he would always love his...*ahem*...country.”
The queen mulled this over for a moment, and then turns towards the map, turning her back to you and everyone except Onselven. She remains quiet for several moments. “As for my other son, he is coordinating the southern defense against the Mak's forces, and these newer 'root' horrors.”
I was not even close to regaining my composure yet but it suddenly hit me. Archer and gnolls … moving west… searching…
The binder.
I turned to the Fletcher and the map saying “Where exactly did you see Aran'gel? From what you say, it sounds as if he was chasing some of Chavram's forces, perhaps with an archer on loan from Kargoth. If they were moving west and searching, then they are likely going after the binder.” With that I looked towards the Queen, for she would know the implications of that.
The Queen turned to look at me, her brow furrowed in concern. The makeup about her eyes is smudged, and it was clear that she hastily wiped away a tear or two. Onselven made an effort not to notice. I didn’t know if she was upset at the words from Aran’gel or by his apparent interest in me. I may not be of highest noble birth but I suppose he could do much worse. In any case the Fletcher replied “We met him around the Yatils, just north of the border. He wasn't sure if they were going to continue skirting the mountains, or head for the Crystalmist range further west. He was certain that they were preparing for an entry into the mountains, though. He said that they were travelling with several heavily-laden pack mules, and had at least one human with them, someone he didn't recognize. The man was wearing red velvets of a dark color, but they couldn't risk getting much closer without fear of discovery. Most of what they know comes from his familiar.”
Onselven asked “Could they know where the binder is?” Onselven asks. “We've searched for it ourselves, to no avail. A binder cannot detect another binder...they are enchanted to prevent it, and magics will not reveal its location.”
I answered chillingly “But there is the Great Index. It was at one time connected to all the binders and knew of them and their locations. At the very least it knew where the binder was when contact was lost, many years ago if I recall. It showed two binders in the western mountainous areas.”
“I have some reason to believe the site of the Great Index was attacked at the same time the Chromatics broke the Council. Chavram may have gotten access to the Great Index and is using that as a place to start looking. Even so it will not be easy for them to find - that binder is well hidden.”
The Queen pondered this. “I am unsure how to proceed. We do not have the forces to commit to stopping them, if they are. My son may be the only thing that stands to stop them. If this was the intent of these attacks, it certainly has succeeded.”
I asked “Do you have the forces to defend Celene? My friends and I have someone in our care that we need to hide somewhere safely, and if we can do this, then we can turn our attentions to something else. However I'm loathe to turn my aim from Celene's enemies if I am needed here.”
“There is clearly a very well coordinated effort going on by someone to accomplish something. My friends and I have been involved in these matters much of late and in fact someone just sent assassins this very day to kill us. It may be that was the plan to take us out of the picture, in which case we are the wild card that can be used to disrupt these machinations.”
She said “We can defend Celene, at least for now. I would rather not ask for help from any of the Uleks. This should be an elvish matter. I have always trusted in the judgement of my champions...even when they choose differently than I might. I trust you to make the correct decision.”
Then she added, smiling “These attacks may not all be a single concerted plan, or a single goal. You need to stop thinking like a human, child.”
“Too long in their company I dare say.” I replied then thought a moment and went on.
“I doubt it's a single plan. More likely it's several diverse elements that are all taking advantage of a window of opportunity. And it is possible that they were all informed of this window by someone to facilitate his purposes. I should mention that we have crossed paths with Fraz Urb'Luu of late, and his plots run deep.” It was of course silly of me to think that all of these forces would be working together. But it was very easy to believe that someone like Fraz let each know of a coming crisis that would allow them to act, and they each took it. Such a plot would be very much like him.
“If Celene can be defended for now, then I will try to apply my leverage where it can do the most good, and then see how matters stand. I will try to convince my companions to find Aran'gel and with him stop those seeking the binder - that will be of grave concern to them. Should matters change here then I am of course at Your disposal.”
I rose to depart at this, then stopped, and admittedly with some level of dread in asking, said “Is there any word you would have me carry to Aran'gel?”
She paused, then began to say something and then thought better of it. After a moment, she said, "Tell him that there exists a wide variety of healing magicks to restore lost limbs, but none to restore lost pride. His mother thinks he should avail himself of the former. Follow your own wisdom, child. You have served us well in bringing us this news. Should you be able to chance more of it, we know you will share it when it is prudent to do so. The blessing of Corellion upon you.”
I bowed, with a sense of satisfaction that I had done well for my Queen and country. I was glad she considered this to be worth her time and bother in this time of crisis. She granted me leave to go, and before I did, I turned to Tirem and said “I hope I will have an opportunity to speak to you again. Soon.” He just grinned a bit at the chaos he knew he caused, and wished me well.
Once clear of the city, I teleported back and told everyone what I had learned.
